Archery and athletics steal the show

Date Released: Fri, 26 October 2012 14:55 +0200

Lance Ho became the first member of the Rhodes University Archery Club to win the prestigious Sportsman of the Year award, while athlete Natalie Ross won the Sportswoman of the Year award for the second time.

Ho, who has been nominated for the award before, said he was shocked to hear his name when he was announced the winner. He also received the award for Student Coach of the Year. Ho received his Protea colours for coaching this year, as he was the South African coach for the archery team that took part in the Paralympic event in July (held before the actual Paralympics).

Ho also took part in the national archery champs hosted in Grahamstown earlier this year where he came third in the club and provincial teams and second in the mixed team event. He also finished seventh overall in the compound men's division.

Meanwhile Ross is currently in Auckland, New Zealand where she represented Triathlon South Africa at the Barfoot and Thompson world triathlon championships on Monday morning (or 9.30pm on Sunday in South African time).

She has had an exceptional year as a member of the Rhodes Athletics Club, with numerous race wins and a national selection under her belt. Ross was the overall women's winner at the Afri-Save 10km, Despatch SuperSpar 10km, Iron Girls South Africa 10km (with over 1 000 women taking part).

She finished third in the South African Duathlon Championships and came third in the South African Triathlon champs, earning national representation for both but choosing to take part in the world triathlon competition.

The Annual Sports Council Sports Awards ceremony took place at the 1820 Settlers' Monument on Friday and a number of other awards were handed out. The Pool Club walked away with the Performance of the Year and Most Improved Club of the Year awards, while the Rowing Club were named the Club of the Year and also the Committee of the Year.

Administrator of the Year went to Andrew Lowndes for his organising the internal league soccer, and Futsol league. The Athletics club received an award for Staff Coach of the Year - Antonio Blom. Former Rhodes student Mvuzo Mbebe, now CEO of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, was the guest speaker. Mbebe spoke about the role of students in the development of sport and society.

Photo and story by Stephen Penney

Caption: SHARPSHOOTER... Lance Ho, seen during a demonstration event, was named the Rhodes University Sportsman of the Year at an awards cermony on Friday.